This evening was the first time I've gone to the grocery store since starting my G.U.L.P. project. Having a short list saves lots of time. As people perused the aisles for the perfect lettuce or the ideal coffee, I felt a degree of liberation. Choosing cabbage was simple. There were a few more choices with potatoes, but not many, and I breezed through the store. Choice: Ostensibly the ability to create and control our lives and thus identify happiness. Maybe. Sticking with the grocery store theme, doesn't it seem like more people are cranky when the 1% milk is out of stock even if there's plenty of 2%, or when the spicy beer mustard is on back order for a week and the six other options just won't satisfy?
Barry Schwartz, professor of Social Theory and Social Action at Swarthmore College and author of The Paradox of Choice, contends that the "official dogma" we subscribe to dictates that our affluent, industrial culture makes a direct link between freedom and choice; the collective belief our society holds asserts that maximizing our options leads to individual freedom and thus maximizes our personal welfare. Schwartz maintains that having endless choices creates paralysis rather than liberation, and that adhering to this embedded belief will invariably foster feelings of angst, guilt, and depression. Maybe. I know that my experience grocery shopping today was, well, calm. Taking less time than a traditional grocery store trip allowed more time for other priorities. But there have been countless occasions when I had a laundry list with no restrictions, and frequently I felt a comparable sense of calm. I hear Schwartz's point, but I believe that there are several variables that contribute to an experience being positive or negative when choice comes into play.
Author Malcomb Galdwell approaches choice from a different perspective. Essentially, he argues that as humans we don't really know what we want, and when we do we can't always explain it. Gladwell sites Howard Mascowitz, the man responsible for the surplus of pasta sauces and virtually single-handedly raising the profile of Ragu, who locked on to the importance in marketing of horizontal segmentation and embracing the diversity of human experience. Moscowitz holds that choice, attainability notwithstanding, gives people something to aspire to and therefore contributes to, rather than detracts from, happiness.
What I know is that tonight and for the coming week I'm happy for my cabbage, eggs, and potatoes. While having my choices restricted is superficial, the feeling of contentment that these provisions offer is not.
28 Days | $700 | 3 Non-profits
For the next 28 days, from November 27 through December 24, I'll significantly reduce my food choices: I'll eat only 7 foods, 5 condiments, and drink only 1 beverage (what are they? You'll have to read my blog to find out!). Lattes, fish and chips, veggie pad thai, and vino be gone--Yaaouch! By doing this, I will save approximately $700 that I will then donate to three extraordinary, greater-Denver non-profit organizations.
We've all felt the pinch of these tough economic times. Hit especially hard are organizations that function solely to help the most vulnerable among us. Click the links on the right to learn more about the great work of three such organizations, and then cast your vote. Your vote will determine the percentage of the $700 that each organization will receive. I encourage you to influence the votes of others–but please only vote once. I'll blog about my G.U.L.P. journey and update my progress daily. If you scroll down, you'll find my daily blog postings. Your comments are encouraged!
WHY FOOD, WHY NOW? I wanted my G.U.L.P. choice to be a significant but realistic sacrifice. Food seemed an obvious choice for several reasons: First, I spend a lot of money on food. Not just basic sustenance, but on brunches, dinners out, pricey markets, happy hours, and expensive take-out. When I reviewed my budget and found that I spend roughly $700 each month on eating and drinking, I realized I needed to check this luxury. Second, I think the act of eating is relatively thoughtless for many of us--it has been for me. The question isn't what will I eat, but rather, what do I want to eat. Finally, I chose this time of year for my G.U.L.P. project because the holidays tend to intensify our emotions. For those who have plenty, it’s often a time of celebration and feelings of joy can be readily identified. For those who are barely getting by, the holidays can be agonizing.
JOIN ME: What would you give up for 28 days? I have chosen to limit food choices, but that's just one idea. If each one of us gave up a non-essential item, service, or even a certain food for a manageable period of time--something that we've been conditioned to believe is a need rather than a want, and commit the money saved to an effective community organization, imagine the impact! If you decide to give something up--and I hope you do!--I'd love to hear about your experiences.
Sunday, December 6, 2009
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